Gary Goodyear’s Wasteful Spending

Dear Sir/Madam,
It’s been quite some time since I have written a letter to the editor. Having read a recent newspaper article about local Conservative MP spending, I felt the need to reach out and make my feelings about this issue known.

The Harper government has always suggested that they are the fiscally responsible ones when it comes to the spending of Canadian tax-payers dollars. However, nothing could be so far from the truth today. How could a government that promotes this message also be the current governing body that is wasting the hard earned money it gets from its citizens? There are several examples out there today which give examples of this waste: G8 overspending, military helicopter cost overruns, the estimated $300 million closure and relocation of Camp Mirage, the added costs relating to changing the census, untendered (yes untendered) fighter jets, building of bigger jails (even though crime is down), Parliament Hill renovation cost overruns, the waste uncovered in the ‘economic action plan’ and now to top it off, wasteful MP spending at the local constituency level. So much spending in fact, I could take most of the space in this editorial section writing about it. However, I would like to focus my letter on Gary Goodyear’s spending, in particular his advertising spending.

Last year, as Canadians prioritized their finances, Gary Goodyear spent a whopping total of $142,281 on advertising alone. Of that total amount, over $92,000 was spent on flyers which get circulated across various parts of the city. I’m sure most of you have seen them. In fact, I’m willing to suggest that many of you receive these ‘flyers’ on a regular basis. These flyers are usually flogging the Conservatives message of how well they are doing. In some cases, they smear the opposition in an ultra-partisan manner. On one occasion, Goodyear even mailed out a vicious flyer to clearly undermine the leader of the Liberal Party, Michael Ignatieff. Goodyear used taxpayers’ money to do this, not donations, but taxpayer money! The bombardments of these flyers are in my personal opinion an abuse of power and an absolute waste of taxpayers’ money. Regardless of whether or not you are a supporter of the Conservative Party, you are paying for this. It leads me to question the integrity of Mr. Goodyear when it comes to being the ‘fiscal conservative’ that he claims to be.

How many Cambridge business owners have an advertising budget of $142,000 dollars a year? How many businesses in this community have a $92,000 budget to mail flyers to local homes in an effort to promote their business? How many people can use an abundance of taxpayers’ money to promote their biased agenda to members of their community? In most cases, I would safely assume the answers to these questions would be ‘not many’. How then, can Gary Goodyear look at his advertising expenditures over the last year and tell the people of Cambridge and North Dumfries that he is justified in doing so? How can Gary Goodyear talk about accountability, when his government’s current policies and frivolous spending habits contradict this statement?

In the recent article I read, Gary Goodyear is quoted as saying his “government is always concerned about how hard-earned tax-dollars are being spent”. If that is the case, then why Mr. Goodyear, have you wasted so much money on ‘marketing’ yourself and the Conservative party for nothing short of your own personal political gain? If this current Member of Parliament is so ‘concerned’, then why it is that everywhere I turn, his Conservative government is wasting more of Canadians hard-earned dollars. I for one can only hope Mr. Goodyear realizes that all of this spending is indeed irresponsible, but fear my message will likely end up where all of his flyers are…in the blue bin.

56 Responses to Gary Goodyear’s Wasteful Spending

FP November 15, 2010 at 6:24 pm

Interesting Article. I would have to agree that level of spending on advertising alone seems excessive for a Cambridge MP.

rob konduros November 15, 2010 at 8:57 pm

It is impossible to argue credibly against what Rory Farnan has said here. I would add that the Tory’s also wasted $250 million of taxpayers’ money on their last election in 2008 which was called on short notice and in violation of their own fixed-date election law. That not only was a squandering of public funds but an illustration of self-interest trumping ethics and principle.

Harold Fontaine November 15, 2010 at 11:56 pm

Fiscally they are not Conservative, but does Ignatieff really offer a better alternative? Liberals tend to spend just as much money on wasteful projects.

Thomas vann November 16, 2010 at 6:01 am

l see the spending habits of all governing powers waste our money on so many things and it can’t be controlled. lt all adds up to tax increases to fuel the dragon of spending on things we as a City, Province and Country can no longer afford. To touch on a few things (because the list is so long) such as local;why send 4 councillors and the mayor to places like Whistler BC for a weekend meeting, why are our city workers allowed to take 45 min- 1 hour breaks in the morning then drive back to the job site, where are the bosses from the city on a Fri. afternoon. Provincial we have e-health wasted dollars, our local M.P.’s staff has a gone for lunch note on the door….back at 1:30 from noon..try 2:pm or later, then we have our HST, BST, 25% pay raise. The Feds well where do we start….G20, gun registry, sponsorship scandle, Swanigate, air bus, work 3 months of the year. Let’s not forget our dear freinds in the Commons that show up for work 1-2x’s a year to collect the $’s from the trough on their way back from Mexico. Pissed off, you bet l am. WE are the best Country in the world with leaders in every part of government sucking the taxpayer dry. l was at a Tim’s the other day speaking with another out of work pal and he joked that he is going to grow some weed in his basement. Why not he said? l’ll only get house arrest. Can’t feed the family, pay the bills or find a job other than some crummy temp rip-off. l sugested he apply to the City, or to Gerry’s office ’cause they are looking for some workers. City of Cambridge tax increase this year will hit 6%-9% unless major spending and cuts come into effect. That’s not counting the water bill hosin’ we’re getting for infrastructure repairs that we have been payin’ years for. Where the heck did that money go? What’s in your wallet?

I Ali November 16, 2010 at 7:07 am

Absolute hypocrisy – but expect anything different from the Conservatives and Goodyear? In the short-time they’ve been in office, they have not addressed Canada’s fiscal health. Conservatives are the big spenders when in power and history supports this claim. And what’s another $142000 if it means Goodyear can pepper the city with his misleading, narrow-minded rhetoric. I would challenge the reader above to compare this government with those that preceded it with respect to spending. I think applying a false equivalency in this case, that is, all governments are the same when it comes to wasteful spending, is an opinion not based in the facts.

scot November 16, 2010 at 11:39 am

We were sent an email asking about Gary but we were tied up with the Mmunicipal election at the time…I’ll get something up in the next few days.

Allan Dettweiler November 16, 2010 at 12:29 pm

Doesn’t matter who our “King” is. They are all corrupt – at least in part. Read on!!

1: And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel.

2: Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beer-sheba.

3: And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.

4: Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah,

5: And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.

6: But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD.

7: And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.

8: According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee.

9: Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them.

10: And Samuel told all the words of the LORD unto the people that asked of him a king.

11: And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots.

12: And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots.

13: And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers.

14: And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants.

15: And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants.

16: And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work.

17: He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants.

18: And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day.

19: Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us;

20: That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.

21: And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of the LORD.

22: And the LORD said to Samuel, Hearken unto their voice, and make them a king. And Samuel said unto the men of Israel, Go ye every man unto his city.

Allan Dettweiler November 16, 2010 at 12:35 pm

On the above post, look at verses 11-18.

Look at verse 18. We are screwed – no matter what!

Allan Dettweiler November 16, 2010 at 12:40 pm

Verse 16
Are you all working your asses for the government???

Thomas vann November 16, 2010 at 12:44 pm

Do we include scandles in the spending? Where are your facts? So are you talking Feds. or Prov. You missed the point lAli. They all waste money no matter who is in power. Can we expect Dalton to tone down his (and the others in office)next raise from 25%+ over the last few years to say 20% raise in pay this time. Just to help the ones out of work here in this have not Province. Maybe we can put that one time Canadian that left for (what 35 years) only to return home to save this country in during the next federal election. Maybe we can start over and ship them all out on the next airbus.

davethehobo November 16, 2010 at 6:52 pm

I don’t care who the politician is, waste spending is what they do best. they go in with great intentions but once there realize that it doesn’t matter, the money must be spent.

Thomas vann November 17, 2010 at 6:23 am

Scot. Will you be posting that article l sent you from the Record on my not being allowed to speak at Council Mon. Nov.8/10 by the Mayor? Doug went too far banning me when l went through all the proper channels and was schedualed to speak. He broke the rules again and l hope this gets posted for fair reporting. l was representing a # of seniors and disabled seniors. l can send you the article again if it’s been lost. Thanks Scott.

scot November 17, 2010 at 2:20 pm

Thomas, we must have missed it. Please use the “submit” form and James or i will post it.

1. Someone should tell Gary and all election hopefulls that you can chop 70% off the marketing budget due to the organization of unconcerned citizens. Can you imagine our streets with 70% less signs. That is a good news story.
2. He could hire some people to hand deliver all the flyers for less than the 92K he pays to Canada Post.
3. It would be great if we only needed to pay 10% of our income to each level of government. I’m for that.
4. As a prior candidate we all enter the race with good intentions. It is disheartening to know in the end the general public has such low regard for people who serve.

Margaret Barr November 17, 2010 at 7:35 pm

Gail, you’re the (wo)man!!!!! Your graciousness and sense of humour should make anyone who didn’t vote for you, wish they had!

Thomas vann November 18, 2010 at 7:10 am

Thank-you Scott.

Lary Turner November 18, 2010 at 11:45 am

Unfortunately, Gary is not the only one ……as reported in The Record today; some of the newly appointed Conservative Senators (unelected Senators!)are using their office budgets to mail out flyers that are basicly nothing more than the pro-Conservative party campaign platform. Ont. Senator Bob Runciman and Man. Senator Don Plett are sending thousands of these, flyers targeted at Liberal held ridings, all at taxpayer expense! You and I dear taxpayers are funding the future Conservative election platform!

Margaret Barr November 18, 2010 at 2:38 pm

Also unfortunate, is that the Conservatives are not the only party doing this. I remember when the Liberals were in power. We all used to receive the same ‘newsletters’ from Janko Peric; in great abundance.

Thomas vann November 19, 2010 at 7:10 am

No way Margaret. Not Janko. Smart fellow, but l could never understand what he was saying so all those flyers were justified.

Vrbanivic November 19, 2010 at 8:25 am

So does that mean you are making fun of someones accent?

Allan Dettweiler November 19, 2010 at 8:27 am

I have a feeling Janko is itching to return. Same with Andrew Telegdi and Karen Redman in Kitchener. Seems it gets in your blood. But, 2 terms is enough. Right Margaret!

Allan Dettweiler November 19, 2010 at 8:32 am

Vrbanivic, everyone has an accent. I have had Americans mention my “accent”.
I have a lot of fun trying to do speak with different accents. I will never be upset if someone who originates from elsewhere trys to imitate my “accent”.

Lary Turner November 20, 2010 at 5:41 pm

Margaret you are correct…Janko Peric sent out loads of flyers. He was a sitting MP and “had to”(?) communicate with his constituents …. I was speaking of appointed Senators who are not elected and have no excuse (other than pure party politics) for sending flyers targeting opposition ridings ….. all at our expense! Totally disgraceful!

Margaret Barr November 20, 2010 at 6:29 pm

That is totally disgraceful, Lary. Fortunately for those Senators, I haven’t received any such ‘flyers’. If I had, they would get an ear-full from me. You know me, I would go straight to the Senators, to complain. I only know one Senator, personally. I am very glad that his name wasn’t mentioned here as one of the ‘culprits’; or he may have me arrested for ‘harassment’. 🙂

darcey jarrett November 24, 2010 at 5:34 pm

It took long enough for this to appear at the other site! lol

citizen jane November 24, 2010 at 7:21 pm

I believe it was Brett Hagey who promoted more use of the internet for city council, it would seem to me that someone like Mr.Goodyear could use it as well for info like this. Make it a voluntary sign up for e-mails from him.

It arrived in the mailbox today!
Mr. Goodyear’s latest propaganda.
It proclaims that “Canadians know the Liberal/NDP/Bloc Québécois coalition is alive and well”.
We are asked to imagine our country being led by Michael Ignatieff, with Jack Layton dictating economic policy and the Bloc holding a Parliamentary veto.
“Ignatieff:Just in it for himself”.
Now, heres what kind of amuses me. There is a picture of a little ballot with 4 names on it – Harper, Ignatieff, Layton and – get this, ELIZABETH MAY!
No where on this piece of pre-election propaganda does it say a bloody thing against Elizabeth May.
Hmmm, I just may vote for Elizabeth May – unless there is a Libertarian candidate.

Brian Santos December 2, 2010 at 12:25 am

People need to start understanding and not just hating on politicians. I have to say I would love to be in office to make a difference, but does that make me a bad person? I hope not because the people who do attempt to make this city or country a better place always seem to be the ones you hate the most. I don’t believe politicians are bad people I just feel some have lost their way or have misguided means. Maybe we can have some great leaders if only people got out of the house and vote for once. People making a difference starts with each and every single one of us. If you don’t like something be heard and fight agents it. We are all to balm as to why our governments fail us because we are not getting involved. We need to grow up… yes a 23 year old is telling you to grow up because I had the courage to run knowing what I was up agents to make a difference and take a stand. Can all you critics say you would… I think not. Before you go and call all politicians a joke and all they do is waste tax dollars well think again. I want you to look at all of the good things that over the years have been given to us (like FREE heath care) all were due to politicians (leaders) who decided to fight for something and make it happen. A party is a group of people trying to make a difference a group of leaders.

Stop using the word politicians as a bad word. I see it as people who devote their time or sometimes even their lives to try to make a difference in our country and for that I will respect them. Maybe you should too.

As for the spending I think things like this should be stopped but we are to balm we voted in this conservative government. We make the bed we sleep in. Well done Cambridge well done. Maybe one day we can vote in a real leader.. We need to stop discouraging people from voting but rather getting people to the polls to make a positive movement or change when needed.

Allan Dettweiler December 2, 2010 at 9:27 am

Sure, it’s wrong to paint all politicians with the same brush, BUT, we have good politicians and bad politicians in Cambridge – and everywhere. Many are self-serving and should be kicked out.
As far as “making a difference” (an overworked phrase along with “wanting to give back”) – Mr. Santos, you can make more of a difference in other places other than politics. Whether it be a church or community organization such as a service club OR, taking some initiative and starting something new – you will be much more useful to your community than you will be in politics.
Unless you are the top dog, you can’t make any real difference. You have a Mayor or someone above you who is controlling you. You are just their puppet. You just wait and see how soon it is before Doug Craig is controlling at least 1 of those new council members. They will be doing exactly what he wants them to do. Just wait and see. He is already buttering them up with nice talk.
I think that overall, people know who the good politicians are – Mr. Cousill is a good example. Linda Whetham was good.
And perhaps you won’t remember Max Salzman – an NDP’er. Overall, I don’t have too much use for that Party – but Max was great. I wish he were the P.M.
If Max were P.M. we could vacation in the sunny Turks and Caico’s Islands – it would be part of Canada.
I am looking forward to 1 or 2 new Council Members who truly care about the people of Cambridge. I thing Nicholas will be good – I’m hoping for great things out of the other 2 as well.
One more thing Brian, our health care system is anything but free. It’s costing us a fortune.

Margaret Barr December 2, 2010 at 10:32 am

Allan, I pretty much agree with you on all points, except one; the Mayor has no control over anyone on council, unless they choose (or allow themselves) to be controlled.

Initiatives and projects proposed by the mayor (whether it’s Drayton or a new by-law) is merely that; a proposal, put forward to be voted on by the council. Councillors can either decide to vote for or against, whatever is in front of them.

City Councillors are not, at all, like Provincial or Federal politicians, who are most often required to ‘follow the party line’.

Brian Santos December 2, 2010 at 11:42 am

You talk about all these bad councils and I am not saying they are not killing our city because most of you know we have a few who should not be serving our city. Now who is to balm??? Do we balm them? Or do we balm the ones who give them the power? Our governments get their power from the people and we need to remember this. The power is in the people’s hands we vote these people in we give them the power to do what they do. We also have the power to force these individuals to leave as well. Your view and disregard that people can’t make a difference is why change never happens because people feel that they can’t make a difference. If we have 10% more people vote in the last election it could have made a huge difference in many different wards. In Kitchener for example it came down to 1 vote in one ward. One vote made all the difference. We need to encourage people that they can make a difference because if you don’t you are letting those who abuse their power continue doing what they are doing.

Your attitude on the system is why we are where we are. It is easy to type away on a computer telling those online this is what is wrong with the world but maybe instead of just typing away about what is wrong you go out and make a difference. Try to encourage those to be involve and make a difference and not tell them no matter what you do you cannot. I feel we can make a difference as long as we believe we can. If you don’t believe you can make a difference you never will. I hope I never have that view on life and I hope those who do can one day see different. Don’t give up on a better future before you even try…

Best Regards,
Brian Santos

Harold Fontaine December 2, 2010 at 11:44 am

The key to any politicians success is to be thick skinned, that is why Doug Craig is successful. As for Max Saltsman, i never voted for the man as i am a life long conservative and the NDP was a party I could never trust.

To see what is important to people in this city just look at the Cambridge Times, there is more discussion in the comment section on the unfortunate shooting of a dog by the police than the seniors issue. The article by James Haggarty about dogs brought out many commenters and when Tom Speed wrote about bicycles there was a healthy debate. These are the real people of Cambridge and what they are worried about. And the problem with this is the politicians and wannabe politico types can not see this and that is why many don’t care about local politics and politicians in general. But many will call me a miserable old cuss and I am fine with that.

Allan Dettweiler December 2, 2010 at 12:51 pm

Margaret, you are absolutely correct, BUT I think a Mayor might have ways of manipulating. For example, telling someone to “shut up”! I am aware of methods used by another elected official to control Regional Councillors – “forcing” them to be silent – referring to it as a “legal issue” to keep them silent.

Allan Dettweiler December 2, 2010 at 1:05 pm

Harold, help me to understand. You call yourself a “life long conservative”.
Now, if Liberals were always Liberals, and if Conservatives were always Conservatives, I could understand why one might be one or the other.
But, I contend that one of the reasons we get bad governments is because of those who vote for the same party come hell or high water.
Me? I have voted Conservative, NDP, Libertarian and probably even Liberal. There certainly are Liberals I would vote for if I were in their riding. I’d love to get Frank McKenna running for P.M. I’d vote for him in a second. If Murray Elston were to run for Premier – he would be my man! If Ted Arnott were to run for Premier of Ontario – he would be my choice.
At one point I would have voted for Liz Witmer for Premier – no chance of that anymore.(thats another story).
I can’t stand McGuinty – I don’t trust Hudak – he just rubs me wrong.
I wish people would vote for the person – there are many that do, but too many who won’t. And, that can make a difference between us ending up with a good politician or a bad one.
Many wealthy persons stick with one party or the other because they expect favours if that person is elected. And, that folks is why were in a mess.
Portugal, Spain, Greece, Ireland – and remember New Zealand not all that many years back. Our debt isn’t getting any smaller. Unless things change and the electorate stops expecting so much from government, it’s just a matter of time till Canada joins the list. The U.S. is going to make the list soon, and what that happens,we in Canada are going to be deep in a big stinky pile.

Allan Dettweiler December 2, 2010 at 1:22 pm

Brian, I don’t want to dissuade you from trying to make a difference. Not at all. If you think you can do it in politics – go for it.
But, I can tell you that too many people have expensive expectations of their elected officials.
Arenas, skateboard parks, senior citizen’s centres, dog parks, money for this – money for that. Money for a theatre – but the hell with money for leaky pipes.
Now, if you were to get elected and vote only for things like the “leaky pipes” and the “holey, bumpy roads” – I think you just might get ousted.
You certainly wouldn’t be very popular with a certain segment of the electorate.
I have run for office before, and I suppose I hoped to “make a difference” as well. Who knows, I may even be silly enough to do it again. I think I would have little fear of being elected.
But, I can tell you that if I run, I will be at – or near – the bottom of the list when the votes are tallied. Cause I would promise some pretty big cuts. I sure hope some neighbourhood groups plant lots of flowers around the city – because I wouldn’t do it with taxpayer’s dollars when the pipes are leaking. I don’t know who is going to give money to the little ballerinas – it wouldn’t be me. No money for parades – I wouldn’t be waving at you from the latest (or oldest) model car in the Santa Claus Parade. Because, I wouldn’t want to get hit by 2 dozen ballerinas throwing stones at me.

Harold Fontaine December 2, 2010 at 1:37 pm

We have had good conservative governments and good liberal governments, we have had bad Conservative governments and bad liberal Governments. I vote conservative because my beliefs are closer to that than to what a liberal would vote for. And remember, we don’t vote for our Prime Minister directly so i have never looked at who is the head of the party. And i didn’t like Brian Mulroney but I liked John Turner so perhaps then I would have voted Conservative in my Riding and Liberal for prime Minister. Ideals for me come before personality’s.

Allan Dettweiler December 2, 2010 at 1:41 pm

Oh, how I wish would could vote for Prime Minister.
I find it ironic that Paul Martin was paying down the debt – something a true conservative should be able to do – but seems unable to pull it off.

Margaret Barr December 2, 2010 at 4:59 pm

Brian, I am of the firm and unshaken opinion that certainly most, and probably all, people enter politics with the idea of making a difference (for the better). But somehow, after awhile, red-tape, bureaucracy and Lord knows what else, causes even some of the very best candidates to “fall in-line” with the status quo.

As Allan noted above, too often councillors are silent because they are told it’s a “legal issue”. In the case of our own Council, I was saddened when it decided to hire on a full-time lawyer. That is just asking the people to be ‘leery’ of their motives, etc.

Perhaps I am biased (because I am a Communications/Marketing Specialist) but I have always thought that City Council would better serve the public if it had hired a Communications Director to keep the public up-to-date on all council happenings; rather than a lawyer who always gives the advice to ‘not speak’.

I have worked for several large and successful businesses. All of them realize that in order to maintain good relationships with those they serve, they must communicate; openly,clearly and concisely. I’ve never worked for any successful company, no matter how large, that saw a need for an in-house lawyer.

Perhaps if our council conducted itself more like a business, and less like folks afraid to move without a lawyer at their side, we would all be better off; as taxpayers and citizens.

newsy December 6, 2010 at 6:59 am

As much as we want to complain about the mailings we have to consider one thing, not everybody uses a computer and those that do have no inclination to look for a politicians site, the only way they find out anything is by these flyers.

gary Tompkins December 7, 2010 at 11:12 pm

Guess what i received in the mail today? Gerry martiniuk’s 2011 Calender, great now i can file it with my other calenders! Like thats not a waste of money.

Colin Hawthorne December 8, 2010 at 7:28 pm

Gary’s views are different but he is allowed those views and i don’t think it has affected his ability to do his job or to represent this riding, I think he has done a great job.

Brian Farris December 9, 2010 at 8:45 pm

Your so right. I’m there with you. time for a change and a government that will spend money wisely

Doug Graham December 10, 2010 at 10:37 pm

Maybe if we are lucky the liberals will actually put someone with a little ability and personality in the race against him. time to go Gary.

Allan Dettweiler December 11, 2010 at 12:10 am

Brian, sorry to disappoint you – there is no such thing as a government that spends money wisely. Some may be able to hide their poor spending better – but they all are looking after their friends.
The only way to get to the top is to look after the people that put you there.
There is a good part of me that says it’s time to get rid of Harper, BUT who are we going to replace him with. Iggy?
If I were to actually vote for the Liberals, it would only be to get rid of Harper. As soon as the Liberals were in, I’d be wanting them out.
I think I’ll be putting my vote with “anything but Conservative, Liberal or N.D.P.”.
At least I won’t feel like they sucked me in.
The bottom line is that we are screwed. Until we severely limit the role of government and their intervention in our lives, nothing will get better. And that is unlikely to happen because those in government are looking after enough people to get re-elected.

Harold Fontaine December 11, 2010 at 12:30 am

I couldn’t have said it better.

Allan Dettweiler December 11, 2010 at 12:54 am

Doug, you want “someone with a little ability and personality in the race against [Gary Goodyear]”
I wonder if Janko is chomping at the bit ready to go.
But, seriously, even if we had a really good person run for the Liberals, and they got elected, they would only be a puppet for the leader. If they got into the P.M.’s cabinet, they might have some influence. Depends whether the P.M. was a dictator like Harper.
Unfortunately, Goodyear is probably about the best Cambridge can get for now since he has that Minister job.

Lary Turner December 11, 2010 at 12:23 pm

Things can not/will not change as long as Canada sticks with this “first past the post” election system. To really have some sway/say with politicians in this country, voters have to change our system and go with the other 170+ democratic countries in the world who use the “representation by popular vote” system. …… For more info on this go to: http://www.fairvote.ca

Allan Dettweiler December 11, 2010 at 11:10 pm

I’m with you Lary!

Rick Cox December 15, 2010 at 1:07 am

We are all too hard on politicians they have a tough job and we should just thank them for doing it. Gary is no better or no worse than anyone else.

scot December 15, 2010 at 11:35 am

I disagree Rick. I have been dealing with all of the local politicians for a number of years and Gary is the most pompous and arrogant of them all.

Margaret Barr December 15, 2010 at 12:50 pm

I disagee, Scot. I, too, have been dealing with all local politicians for a number of years and I don’t find Goodyear to be at all pompous or arrogant. He is very down to earth (with me, anyway).

Allan Dettweiler December 16, 2010 at 8:17 am

Gary is not all that bad a fellow BUT, the problem is that even if Mr. Harper does or says something absolutely stupid, Gary will either deny it or defend him.
That,children, is how you become a Minister.

Vrbanovic April 24, 2011 at 12:41 pm

Gary is doing what he has to. He spends no more than any other politician, but i would like to see what other members of parliament spend in comparison and not just conservatives, the Libs and the NDP as well.